I'm thinking of commissioning some art for some adventures I'm laying out.  Pure vanity stuff.  I'm thinking 1/4 and 1/8 page, b&w.  Maybe a total of 8-12 pieces.  I don't have a huge budget or anything.  I just want to get an idea of the range (or is it standard) of rates to see if this is evening feasible.

How long is a piece of string?

You can pay $5 for a black and white piece from someone at Elfwood or deviantart, or $2,500 for a busy colour scene for a cover - or anything in between. It varies even more than the writing fees.

For vanity or smallpress publishing, it's basically not worth it. Competent artists, unlike writers, have dignity and won't do it for free or extremely cheap.

I got some very helpful PM's which gave me a good ballpark and let me realize that yes, barring a sudden windfall, it isn't within my budget range.  

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, you might get lucky and find some people willing to work the low end--like Kyle said from Elfwood or Deviantart. It can vary from really amateur to really solid professional quality stuff, from artists just happy to get paid.

Heck, I'm not great, but if someone wanted ME to do art for them for pay, I would. As long as its not pornographic...(But again, I'm not great, very amateurish..)

Use public domain clipart.  I have a crapload of links that I plan on using if or when I get off my can and publish something.  Mostly old-style wood-carving stuff, but a good deal of pictures from WHTour.org also.

Now you know why I do my own illos. They may not be the best, but the price is right!

-clash

Quote from: StormBringer;240256Use public domain clipart.  I have a crapload of links that I plan on using if or when I get off my can and publish something.  Mostly old-style wood-carving stuff, but a good deal of pictures from WHTour.org also.

Clipart.com has an excellent library and search function. They are a bit pricey at 149 per year but I have found t worth it.

Bill

Purely out of interest, Will, what was the average quote you were given?

Sites like rpg.com have lots of 'semi-clipart' for sale - it's not free, but you don't get an exclusive license either.

As you might expect, how much of it will be useful to you will depend on the genre.

For fantasy there's lots of public-domain art that would fit, but it's mostly full colour paintings, and so not that useful for something designed to be printed out.

If your adventure is fantasy-themed, and it's not going to be commercial, I'd recommend Elfwood. Try and ask for permission to use perhaps twice as many pictures as you actually want.

Try Craigslist and be clear and direct about your price.   Going beyond the gamer community is helpful.   I have seen people get delusional about what they think they should be paid.

Also, RPG.net and ENworld have freelancer sections.  I have seen artists, especially near Christmas, offer to do work very cheaply for some quick cash.

If somebody with a drawing talent is out of work, that person may be willing to do a bunch of good stuff for a $100 cash, especially if your risked giving $50 up front to secure the deal.

It's a Win / Win.   They get cash, you get art, they get another credit to their resume and everyone is happy.

And somewhere the bunnies have sex.

I was always curious about this too. However my fears turned out to be true but at least now i know for sure.

Going off what Spinachcat mentioned about freelancers, if you do hire an artist of any kind, the best way to cover your butt legally and financially is to have a contract. I'm amazed at how many people cringe at this thought, but it's so handy when things go bad. All it has to say is the basics of who is involved and what they promise to one another. It's fairly simple, but could be as complex as you like.

Personally, I really like the 50% up front and other 50% when finished method. That way both parties are invested and it gives motivation to be timely with the work. It probably doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me most the time.

Also, I know that I am not the only artist who is willing to negotiate prices and work out a deal on larger group orders. Some people get insulted when they are asked to come down in price. I figure $50 is more than $0 any way you look at it.

I've just found this book of pictures by Larry Elmore, which seems to be useable by anyone once you buy it.

It came out in 2002 - strange, you'd think everyone would be using it.

Public domain has a good bit of stuff you could use.

http://www.wpclipart.com/browse.html

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/clipart.html

http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/

http://www.backgroundsarchive.com/

http://www.jupiterimages.com/rfimages.aspx

http://www.photographiclibraries.com/index.php

http://geekphilosopher.com/MainPage/photos.htm

http://public-domain.zorger.com/